Bury FC

Paddy McCourt could be next Barnsley boy on Bury radar

DAVID Flitcroft may have left Barnsley behind last year, but the Bury boss continues to be linked to his former players as he bids to fill the remaining “three places” in his squad.

The Shakers manager is understood to be running the rule over 30-year-old former Celtic and Northern Ireland winger Paddy McCourt, who was released by Barnsley in the summer, on the club’s training camp in Tenerife.

And he is also thought to be interested in signing 26-year-old Polish midfielder Tomasz Cywka, who recently turned down a contract extension at Oakwell.

Kelvin Etuhu and Jim McNulty have already made the switch from the south Yorkshire club.

Flitcroft also brought in 20-year-old Tykes striker Danny Rose on loan at the tail end of last season and could yet move to bring him back, possibly on a season-long loan.

“We have made a tentative phone call and I am not sure what they are going to do with Danny Rose,” admitted Flitcroft.

“If they want to play him then I think it is his hometown club and he will want to play for Barnsley.

“But I think we did enough to convince Danny that if it’s not the place for him and it doesn’t feel right that he would be loved here.”

Flitcroft has also “put in a call” to Everton to bring Hallam Hope back to the club after he teamed up with Rose at the JD Stadium.

And he may yet move to rekindle a short-term deal for Ipswich right-back Frederic Veseli, if he fails to find regular football at Portman Road.

But with club captain Craig Jones reverting to a new position on the right of defence, the Bury boss admits his attention is more on bringing in more forward-thinking recruits.

“We are short up front,” he said. “There are potentially three places in the squad still to fill.

“If Freddie stays at Ipswich and if he doesn’t get snapped up then he could be one we look at.

“He certainly did himself so much credit it was untrue and the lads loved him but I just think, at the minute, it’s just a little bit of overkill.

“I have got a plan for Craig Jones. As a full-back I think he is going to be outstanding, I really do.”

Ashley Grimes was the big benefactor this week as Flitcroft moved to bolster his attacking options.

The 28-year-old forward was put on the transfer list in May, but after a potential move to Cheltenham fell through, and with the former Rochdale man looking sharp in pre-season, Flitcroft made the surprise move of including him in his squad list for the new season.

But midfield enforcer Andy Procter, who also remains on the transfer list, has not been given a number.

“Grimes has come back into the squad and will be until he is told otherwise or until another club comes in,” added Flitcroft.

“But I have got real strength in Proccy’s position.

“Proccy knows where he is at and has been told where he is at so there are clubs out there that will come in for him and, again, there have been a couple of sniffs so we will see on that.”